Back to index of Scrabble pages by Donald Sauter.
Scrabble For Word Lovers suite - main page.
Scrabble II introduction.
Scrabble II rules.

The glorious Scrabble boards presented here come from the tenth season in which the Dover Scrabble Club played the perfected form of Scrabble called Scrabble II for Word Lovers, or simply Scrabble II. The season dated from July 2010 through November 2010. I invite you to take a hard look at your own Scrabble boards compared to these beauties.

Scrabble II is . . .

• Good words only
• American Heritage Dictionary
• 8-tile rack
• Extended 21x21 board
  • Outer 3 rows for word overrun only, meaning . . .
  • At least 1 tile played on the classic 15x15 inner board for every play
• Incentives for long words:
  • 6-tiler - 20 pts
  • 7-tiler - 50 pts
  • 8-tiler - 80 pts
• No plays of just 2-letter words!
• About 100 tiles scooped from a mix of 3 sets

That's it in a clear and concise nutshell, but it's well worth visiting my main Scrabble page for further discussion of these much needed fixes to the classic game.

I wouldn't expect anyone to read through this page as he would an article or novel. Just scroll around focusing on a single aspect at a time.

Notice the nice, long, fresh words. And how natural they are, coming from our own vocabularies, as opposed to what you would find on tournament Scrabble boards, slathered with outlandish "words" drawn from memorized lists. On our boards, you will see nary a QI, ZA, XU, JO, QAT, QAID, SUQ, QOPH, VAV, WAW, AZO, JIN, and on and on. We operate in the old-fashioned belief that Scrabble is a word game!

Observe the Words on the final board which are organized by length. Tournament Scrabble boards are sick with two- and three-letter words since they make it mindlessly easy to score big points by themselves, or to unload problem letters. This comparison should astound you: top championship Scrabble games show 39.1 words, on the average, on the final board, while our boards below show a sleek 24.1 words. Our words are so long compared to the champions' that we make 15 fewer words while rampaging through the same 100-tile bag!

Note how fresh and different each game is by virtue of scooping the tiles from a mixed set. Look at the variation in Power tiles from game to game; and the Tile oddities; and the Percent expected vowels which shows at a glance how vowel- or consonant-heavy the game was compared to the standard game. The statistic varies between about 80% (rather consonant heavy) and 120% (rather vowel heavy).

Take a look at our Unplayed tiles. You might be dazed by some of the long strings of letters you see there because you're used to stodgy, antisocial, tournament-style, one-on-one games. We give priority to multi-person games, which are livelier and more wide-open. Check your box top; Scrabble was designed for up to four players! If things go your way, you might go out with an 8-tiler and catch your opponents with full racks - up to 24 tiles!

 
EXPLANATIONS:

"Unplayed tiles" shows the tiles left on the players' racks at the end of a game.

"Power tiles" shows all the power tiles (J Q X Z _ S) in the game, played and unplayed.

"Tile oddities" shows when a given letter showed up significantly more or less times than you would expect with the classic set of Scrabble tiles.

"Percent expected vowels" shows the deviation from the expected percentage of vowels (A E I O U) based on 42 vowels per 100 tiles (42%) in the standard set. (Example: Game has 49 vowels out of 109 total tiles. 49/109 = 0.45; 0.45/0.42 = 1.07; Percent expected vowels = 107%)

Game 002 - July 7, 2010

Total tiles played: 95 
Unplayed tiles: H S S E L G I V A Q O R I I B A 
Power tiles: 14  J Q X Z Z _ _ S S S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  5H  no K  7S  1U
Percent expected vowels:  94%
Words on final board: 
 8: OUTPRAYS PRESSING
 7: BANDERS APOGEES ANATOMY HEARTEN MERRIER
 6: HEADED SALOON ALMOND CHAINS
 5: WIELD CATCH SWIRL FAZES
 4: JEAN WOOD ZEAL
 3: BOX TOY
 2: TI ON NO



Game 003 - July 7, 2010

Total tiles played: 106 
Unplayed tiles: U T 
Power tiles: 7  J Q Q Z S S S 
Tile oddities:  no B  4F  no K  no M  10N  4P  7U  4V  no X  no _
Percent expected vowels: 106%
Words on final board: 
 9: WANDERERS
 8:
 7: IGNITER INCLUDE HEAVIES CARAVEL RETINAL PODDING
 6: PHOOEY DJINNI PLAQUE DINNER
 5: VAGUE QUAFF PAVED FINAL FUSSY
 4: HIVE PAIL JAIL FUZE GOON
 3: GUT ERA
 2: EH EH RE RE



Game 005 - July 14, 2010

Total tiles played: 102 
Unplayed tiles: T L L 
Power tiles: 8  J Q Z Z _ _ S S 
Tile oddities:  4M  10N  no U  no X
Percent expected vowels:  86%
Words on final board: 
 9: CHATTERER ANALYZING MACHINERY
 8: REPRIEVE LEGATION
 7: MEOWING MYSTERY LANKIER EVIDENT
 6: BOOZED REWIND CAWING
 5: SQUID AFOOT
 4: BENT MINE HEEL
 3: JAM DEE BOW ADZ
 2: EH RE YE



Game 006 - July 14, 2010

Total tiles played: 101 
Unplayed tiles: A O F I 
Power tiles: 9  Q Q Z _ _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  1D  5G  no J  4M  4W  no X
Percent expected vowels:  91%
Words on final board: 
 8: VERBATIM SPORTING INFORMAL GLOATING CREATION
 7: QUEERER MOCKERS OMELETS WHEEZES GAUGING
 6: QUOTED
 5: ATONE WORRY MOONY SWISH VINYL
 4: TOUT FLAW REAL
 3: BAH
 2: IT OH



Game 007 - July 14, 2010

Total tiles played: 104 
Unplayed tiles: A 
Power tiles: 7  Q X _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no J  7U  no Z
Percent expected vowels: 113%
Words on final board: 
 8: MASTERED VIGOROUS ABALONES DEADLIER
 7: MONTAGE AILERON FAVORED WEAVING ANNEXES CRUELTY REFUSER OUTFEEL
 6: AROUND DEVOUT SPEAKS
 5: QUAIL CONCH
 4:
 3: TAG
 2: AH TO AN



Game 008 - July 14, 2010

Total tiles played: 105 
Unplayed tiles: A 
Power tiles: 6  J _ _ _ S S 
Tile oddities:  5C  4I  no K  no Q  no X  no Z
Percent expected vowels:  97%
Words on final board: 
 8: OUTLANDS WEAKENED UNFORCED BOTTLERS REACHING
 7: SURGERY GALLEON FANATIC COUNTER
 6: PYTHON BIGGER ENTITY
 5: TEACH MACES FEAST NOVAE
 4: COTE FAWN OVUM
 3: JAM AMP
 2: MU MU



Game 010 - July 24, 2010

Total tiles played: 106 
Unplayed tiles: Q 
Power tiles: 9  Q Q X _ _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no J  4M  4P  no Z
Percent expected vowels:  96%
Words on final board: 
 8: HUMANIST ABALONES LEVERING
 7: FANCIER ANEMONE LOATHES KINKIER UNCLEAR
 6: GLARED MIRAGE
 5: HUMPH TOTAL TROOP
 4: GRUB EXIT DATA AQUA SWAN TWIG
 3: PSI PIP MOW EYE WIG
 2: ED HE EX LA UH AB



Game 012 - July 24, 2010

Total tiles played: 107 
Unplayed tiles: E 
Power tiles: 12  Q Q X Z Z _ _ _ _ S S S 
Tile oddities:  4H  no J  4M  10T  4_
Percent expected vowels:  95%
Words on final board: 
 8: TENDERED MYTHICAL FLITCHES
 7: WAITERS TREATED OVATION DULLARD
 6: HAVING HUMBLY QUOTER TOUTED MELTED
 5: TABLE BEGET HOOKS NOVAE QUEEN STAND
 4: GAZE HEMP
 3: MIX ZIT VAT
 2: ON WE DO



Game 013 - July 28, 2010

Total tiles played: 99 
Unplayed tiles: Q 
Power tiles: 5  Q X _ _ S 
Tile oddities:  no J  no K  1L  no M  10N  1S  no Z
Percent expected vowels: 110%
Words on final board: 
 8: AVIATION
 7: PANNING COWBOYS HANGOUT TORTURE FEATHER FOREIGN DEVIANT ELATION
 6: TONING VACANT
 5: SPOUT
 4: VIBE FOOD WAVY
 3: CUE TOW PIU FIX NEE ADO GEE AHA EWE
 2: UT EF EN



Game 018 - July 29, 2010

Total tiles played: 96 
Unplayed tiles: F R A N D 
Power tiles: 11  Q Z _ _ _ _ S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no J  4M  14O  no P  no W  no X  4Y  4_
Percent expected vowels:  92%
Words on final board: 
 9: DOCUMENTS ASTERISKS
 8: VIRULENT INNATELY LICORICE ONCOLOGY
 7: TINKLED AMOROUS
 6: MOSQUE SNOOTY
 5: TAINT RUMOR TOTAL
 4: YEGG FAZE BOOB HOOT
 3:
 2: OH GO YO LI AR AT YE BY



Game 024 - August 5, 2010

Total tiles played: 101 
Unplayed tiles: G I A E 
Power tiles: 9  J Q X Z _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  18E  no K
Percent expected vowels: 107%
Words on final board: 
 9: BEHEADING
 8: EXAMPLES SOUNDING REPINERS
 7: ORANGES EPICURE ENACTED IODINES GYRATES INFUSES
 6: WILLOW JOLTED FUMING
 5: QUOTA TWICE BIRCH EVENT
 4: HAZE
 3:
 2: RE EN ID



Game 025 - August 5, 2010

Total tiles played: 107 
Unplayed tiles: N 
Power tiles: 14  J J Q X Z _ S S S S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no B  1D  1G  4P  8S  6W
Percent expected vowels:  95%
Words on final board: 
 8: TEASPOON ALIENATE
 7: PROWESS CURFEWS DEVICES SHAMANS AMENITY QUIETLY
 6: WEAKEN TOMATO PROVES RUMORS
 5: WHEAT STUNS
 4: JAPE WORN WEAN GAZE MEWS JINN SOFA
 3: LYE CAW ATE SEX HEW
 2: PA ME AH AX LO YO



Game 026 - August 5, 2010

Total tiles played: 102 
Unplayed tiles: U B O O U 
Power tiles: 6  Q Q Z _ S S 
Tile oddities:  6G  no J  4V  no X
Percent expected vowels: 105%
Words on final board: 
 8: STRANGLE CHEATING APPEALED QUARRELS DEFILING
 7: NEIGHED INGENUE
 6: REVIEW BOVINE TONGUE REVERB AFRAID
 5: CAKED QUOTH
 4: ZOOM GOOP PEAL WINK FIVE
 3: WIZ ANY VIE
 2: NO BE AS



Game 027 - August 5, 2010

Total tiles played: 99 
Unplayed tiles: V N R E E N C _ 
Power tiles: 13  J Q X Z Z _ _ S S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  10T
Percent expected vowels:  93%
Words on final board: 
 9: ATTAINTED
 8: LOZENGES EMOTIONS MENISCUS CRITTERS
 7: UTILITY PROOFED VOYAGES QUIETED
 6: ABORTS HOAXES MODEST
 5: FAKED
 4: WHIZ CHAR WEED SIZE
 3: JAB HEN FAD
 2: OS



Game 029 - August 11, 2010

Total tiles played: 113 
Unplayed tiles: E I U I 
Power tiles: 15  J Q X Z Z _ _ _ _ _ S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  4B  19E  no F  5G  10N  no P  4V  no W  no Y  5_
Percent expected vowels: 106%
Words on final board: 
 9: BOTHERING
 8: LOATHERS RELOADED RECEIVER REBOUNDS
 7: STRANDS SHOCKER BEAMING VISITOR
 6: BEAGLE GAINER
 5: VOGUE BUNCH
 4: NUKE JOKE NOVA COAX NINE DOZE
 3: OUR QUA NOT ZEE EGG ARC ZAX
 2: EL AS



Game 032 - August 19, 2010

Total tiles played: 110 
Unplayed tiles: A E A U 
Power tiles: 9  J X _ _ _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no Q  no W  no Z
Percent expected vowels: 107%
Words on final board: 
 8: GROANING LENIENCY BOTHERED
 7: OUTTAKE BITTERS OUTRAGE ACETONE EVASION ARRIVES
 6: LOATHE BATHED AFRAID
 5: PLUME EVICT JAILS TILES NEXUS
 4: MOJO PEAR BOND
 3: YOU BEY IRK
 2: AN ID OS AS



Game 036 - August 23, 2010

Total tiles played: 100 
Unplayed tiles: T C Q A L D I N 
Power tiles: 12  J Q Q X X Z _ _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  8D
Percent expected vowels:  86%
Words on final board: 
 8: TRAWLING MALIGNED WINDIEST
 7: NATURAL EXPENSE
 6: GOOSED BANKED JAGGED BINARY VOODOO
 5: WORTH EQUAL JOUAL ODEUM HURRY HOVEL FRIAR FUZEE
 4: SEXY
 3: DAB
 2: AG MY LO WE DO LA EF



Game 041 - November 13, 2010

Total tiles played: 103 
Unplayed tiles: O E S I E 
Power tiles: 11  J X Z _ S S S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  no B  4M  5P  no Q  7S  4W
Percent expected vowels: 104%
Words on final board: 
 7: PARDONS AUREOLA RIPPLED GUMMIER GLAZIER COPIOUS FULLING ADJOURN
 6: YAHOOS MISHAP EXACTS SWEATY
 5: ZONED SWUNG WAVED
 4: FOAM TRIG WHEY VISE WEEK COGS
 3: HER SPA
 2: TA AX ID



Game 043 - November 24, 2010  Thanksgiving Eve

Total tiles played: 101 
Unplayed tiles: A 
Power tiles: 11  J Q Z _ S S S S S S S 
Tile oddities:  7G  no K  7S  no V  no W  no X
Percent expected vowels:  98%
Words on final board: 
 8: GENERATE TREADERS
 7: FORGETS ELOPING SNAGGED AUGERED STOMATA UNCLOUD RASCALS GULLIES
 6: GLOBAL
 5: GABBY QUAIL
 4: YEAH SLOT DRIP CUPS FIND JUTE
 3: HUG LAD FEZ HIS
 2: YO ER AG HE IS AG



Game 13501 - November 25, 2010  (Game with family at Thanksgiving.)

Total tiles played: 93 
Unplayed tiles: J D D O W W O E I I I 
Power tiles: 12  J J Q Q X _ _ _ S S S S 
Tile oddities:  1G  no Z
Percent expected vowels:  92%
Words on final board: 
 9: MINUTEMEN
 8: INCHOATE COASTING CAROLERS ADDITION
 7: LITTLES SQUARER
 6: LOVELY EXPIRE SENORA
 5: FANCY BONDS DRAFT JUNKS NEATH
 4: ROIL PROW
 3: QUA
 2: ME EN

Don't stop here; see more great Scrabble II boards from other Dover Scrabble Club seasons!

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Some math: I calculated the Words on Final Board (WFB) statistics from the following data. In the 20 games shown here, there were 2050 tiles played and 504 words formed. In the 31 "Table 1" games of the 2010 National Scrabble Championship there were 3022 tiles played and 1207 words formed. Because the number of tiles played in a game varies, I defined a "normalized game" to be 98 tiles, figuring two unplayed tiles per game is very representative. So Words on Final Board (WFB) is rigorously interpreted as "words formed per 98 tiles played." Mathematically speaking, WFB/98=(actual no. of words on board)/(no. of tiles played). Solve for WFB.